Scene & Heard: Maryland Science Center's "Solstice Gala"

Scene & Heard: Maryland Science Center's "Solstice Gala"

Photo by Karen Jackson, Special to The Baltimore Sun

Mandy Stout, Melissa Monteleone, Minday Hammond and Gwen Granite All three levels of the Maryland Science Center were as decked out as the more than 600 people there for its annual "Solstice" gala. Each floor sported a different color, while offering a variety of hands-on exhibits guests were encouraged to try. "It's nice to show off the Science Center with the party. The last three years, we did [the gala] outside. This year, people can reacquaint themselves with the center," said Mark Huston, event chair. "Each floor has a little something for everyone," said Suzanne Amos, community volunteer. "There are even trips to the moon on top floor," said her husband Stuart Amos, FlavoRx CEO. "We're sponsoring an exhibit on electricity here," said Mayo Shattuck, Exelon executive chairman, who had brought his 13-year-old son, Spencer, with him. "We just love it. We come here all the time," said Mary Graul, retired elementary school principal, there with her husband Harold Graul, Graul's Market founder/owner. "OK. I'm totally not getting this," said Ann Meenan, community volunteer, as she tried to work a metal brain teaser puzzle on the second floor, as her husband, Mike Meenan, Lutheran World Relief chief financial officer, looked on. Even Van Reiner, the center's president/CEO, was excited to explore something new. "I'm looking forward to Paperboy. My daughter told me about him. So I want to see what she's excited about," he said, referring to Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves, who would be performing later in the evening. Meanwhile, Ed St. John, Maryland Science Center board chair, noted a welcome change in this year's party over the past three. "It's nice and cool and air-conditioned. I think this is the way to go," he said. -- Sloane Brown

Mandy Stout, Melissa Monteleone, Minday Hammond and Gwen Granite All three levels of the Maryland Science Center were as decked out as the more than 600 people there for its annual "Solstice" gala. Each floor sported a different color, while offering a variety of hands-on exhibits guests were encouraged to try. "It's nice to show off the Science Center with the party. The last three years, we did [the gala] outside. This year, people can reacquaint themselves with the center," said Mark Huston, event chair. "Each floor has a little something for everyone," said Suzanne Amos, community volunteer. "There are even trips to the moon on top floor," said her husband Stuart Amos, FlavoRx CEO. "We're sponsoring an exhibit on electricity here," said Mayo Shattuck, Exelon executive chairman, who had brought his 13-year-old son, Spencer, with him. "We just love it. We come here all the time," said Mary Graul, retired elementary school principal, there with her husband Harold Graul, Graul's Market founder/owner. "OK. I'm totally not getting this," said Ann Meenan, community volunteer, as she tried to work a metal brain teaser puzzle on the second floor, as her husband, Mike Meenan, Lutheran World Relief chief financial officer, looked on. Even Van Reiner, the center's president/CEO, was excited to explore something new. "I'm looking forward to Paperboy. My daughter told me about him. So I want to see what she's excited about," he said, referring to Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves, who would be performing later in the evening. Meanwhile, Ed St. John, Maryland Science Center board chair, noted a welcome change in this year's party over the past three. "It's nice and cool and air-conditioned. I think this is the way to go," he said. -- Sloane Brown (Photo by Karen Jackson, Special to The Baltimore Sun)

Mandy Stout, Melissa Monteleone, Minday Hammond and Gwen Granite All three levels of the Maryland Science Center were as decked out as the more than 600 people there for its annual "Solstice" gala. Each floor sported a different color, while offering a variety of hands-on exhibits guests were encouraged to try. "It's nice to show off the Science Center with the party. The last three years, we did [the gala] outside. This year, people can reacquaint themselves with the center," said Mark Huston, event chair. "Each floor has a little something for everyone," said Suzanne Amos, community volunteer. "There are even trips to the moon on top floor," said her husband Stuart Amos, FlavoRx CEO. "We're sponsoring an exhibit on electricity here," said Mayo Shattuck, Exelon executive chairman, who had brought his 13-year-old son, Spencer, with him. "We just love it. We come here all the time," said Mary Graul, retired elementary school principal, there with her husband Harold Graul, Graul's Market founder/owner. "OK. I'm totally not getting this," said Ann Meenan, community volunteer, as she tried to work a metal brain teaser puzzle on the second floor, as her husband, Mike Meenan, Lutheran World Relief chief financial officer, looked on. Even Van Reiner, the center's president/CEO, was excited to explore something new. "I'm looking forward to Paperboy. My daughter told me about him. So I want to see what she's excited about," he said, referring to Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves, who would be performing later in the evening. Meanwhile, Ed St. John, Maryland Science Center board chair, noted a welcome change in this year's party over the past three. "It's nice and cool and air-conditioned. I think this is the way to go," he said. -- Sloane Brown